UN Secretary-general Ban Ki- moon on Monday said that he is "appalled" by growing violence in Syria, and that he condemns such harmful activities.

"The secretary-general strongly condemns these attacks," said a statement released here by Ban's spokesman Martin Nesirky.

In the statement, Ban said that there has been continuing bloodshed in the Syrian city of Homs, including the reported use of heavy artillery and shelling of civilian areas. He called such violence "totally unacceptable before humanity."

"The secretary-general deeply regrets that the Syrian authorities continue to ignore the pressing calls of the international community to stop using force against civilians," said the statement. "All violence must end immediately."

According to the statement, Ban has called for a redoubling of efforts within Syria and the international community to stop the violence and facilitate a Syrian-led political process to shift the country to a democratic and pluralistic political system.